Hillsdale 61, Grand Valley State 57

January 14, 2012 - The Hillsdale College women's basketball team finished off its best weekend of this season in Allendale Saturday night.

Thanks in part to a big run to open the second half, the Chargers defeated Grand Valley State University 61-57 to win their second road game in a row. Hillsdale is now 7-8 overall and 4-5 in the GLIAC.

This was Hillsdale's first win over GVSU in Allendale in women's basketball since Jan. 4, 2003.

After entering halftime trailing by three points, Hillsdale heated up in the second half, throwing a 13-2 run on the Lakers to turn a three-point deficit into an eight-point lead. The Chargers got up by as many as 11 points, and were able to withstand one final run by the Lakers.

Every part of the game worked at different stages for the Chargers during this victory. Hillsdale forced 19 Laker turnovers and made 16 of its 19 free throws, the two most important coming from senior guard Chelsea Harrison.

Playing her final regular season game not far from her hometown of Lowell, Harrison grabbed a rebound on an airball shot by the Lakers, and was fouled with seven seconds left and the Chargers up by two. Harrison calmly sank both free throws to give Hillsdale a four-point lead. A steal by junior Lea Jones finished off a most satisfying win for the Chargers.

Grand Valley State used a 15-7 run to tie the game at 57 apiece in the game's final minute. Sophomore guard Marissa DeMott cut down the lane and made a scooping layup as the shot clock expired to break the tie and put the Chargers ahead 59-57 with 14 seconds left in the contest.

Also playing her last regular season game in her home Grand Rapids area was senior forward Katie Bildner, who played a fantastic game. She led the Chargers with 18 points. She hit two 3-point shots, made both of her free throws and had two of the team's 15 steals.

Jones played another gritty game at point guard and finished with 11 points, six rebounds, three steals and five assists. Harrison had 11 points. Jones and Harrison both played all 40 minutes in the game.

Freshman Abbey Lovat came off the bench to score eight points while grabbing five rebounds and two steals. She scored six quick points in the first half to help keep Hillsdale afloat when GVSU took an early lead in the contest.

Hillsdale stays on the road next week, playing at Findlay Thursday before coming home to face future GLIAC foe Walsh Saturday.